Wednesday, September 23, 2009

Swine Flu Vaccine: To Vaccinate Or Not To Vaccinate?

By far, the most frequent question I am asked is, “Do you think I should get the flu vaccine?” Of course, the question in present time refers to the swine flu (H1N1) vaccine. The CDC is recommending five target groups of individuals to be vaccinated including: pregnant women, persons who live with or provide care for infants aged <6 months—24 years, children and young adults aged 6 months to 24 years, persons aged 25-64 years who have medical conditions that put them at higher risk for influenza related complications, as well as health care personnel. Most people that have become ill with this strain of influenza have been between the ages of 5-24. The vaccine is expected to be released by mid-October. The regular flu vaccine is not very effective at preventing the flu for those most vulnerable to flu-related complications—the elderly. In fact, the higher rate of immunization against the flu has never resulted in a decline of mortality from the flu. What about children under 2 years old? There is absolutely no evidence that the flu vaccine gives this age group any protection against the flu. In fact, the flu vaccine has never been shown to prevent either hospitalizations or death from the flu. The regular seasonal flu vaccine, like other vaccines, contains contaminants such as mercury which can damage the neurological tissue including the brain. Although mercury has been removed from some vaccines, it has not been removed from the seasonal flu vaccine. I have seen patients who were in good health one day, received a flu vaccine and found their health in a decline. I say, it is not worth it, especially for the swine flu. The present-day swine flu has been shown to cause a mild strain of flu. This new swine flu vaccine also contains an adjuvant known as squalene. Squalene has been shown to cause autoimmune disorders in animals that are injected with it. In humans, it has also been shown to be associated with an increased rate of autoimmune disorders. There has been little research on injecting squalene in humans. Squalene-containing immunizations were given to Gulf War soldiers in the first Gulf War. There were reports of many soldiers suffering from neurological disorders such as ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease).Furthermore, this swine flu vaccine has been fast-tracked by Big Pharma and the U.S. government. There are no safety studies being properly performed. The safety studies will be performed after-the-fact—after the population has been vaccinated. In other words, those that are injected will be guinea pigs for this vaccine. I say there is no reason to receive the flu shot. Prevention is best achieved by eating better, maintaining proper hygiene, and taking correct nutrients. Vitamins A, C and D as well as iodine are incredibly helpful substances to prevent one’s risk of becoming ill from the flu. And, if you become ill from the flu, increasing your doses of these nutrients has been very effective. Also, my clinical experience has shown that Lauricidin, (containing the fatty acid monolauren) a great antiviral product. I suggest taking 1 scoop twice per day from fall until spring. This product is available at my office—www.centerforholisticmedicine.com.Finally, it is best to do your research and make an educated decision about whether the flu vaccine is the right thing to do for you and your family. I believe that once you do your own research, you are bound to come to the same conclusions about the flu vaccine that I have reached. More information about the swine flu vaccine will be published in my October newsletter (Dr. Brownstein’s Natural Way to Health). This newsletter can be obtained from www.brownsteinhealth.com/3reports.

I only recommend Vitamin D3 which is the natural version produced in the body. For maintenance, I generally recommend 2,000-6,000IU/day. For illness, I suggest taking 10-50,000IU/day for 2-5 days. It is important to have your vitamin D levels checked before and after a period of supplementing Vitamin D. The most absorbable form of vitamin D is Bio-D Mulsion Forte from Biotics research. This is available at my office: www.centerforholisticmedicine.com.